flyingtxn,
I'm no expert by far. This year was my first 'actual' LRH. After a couple of years of preparation, I found out just how unprepared I was.
I came to very rapidly appreciate the importance for being prepared for the actual and varying conditions. I hadn't been in the big mountains for a couple of decades and had lost the feel for the long distances, steep angles and all 4 seasons occurring in any one day.
Since returning I have been upgrading equipment to be more prepared and am taking to opportunity with the local coyotes to get as much experience as I can i.e,. setting up hides for the time just before sunset until dark.
From that experience, here goes:
First you are headed in the right direction. You'll be well prepared when you get there.
Rifle & Cartridge: You have plenty of cartridge to do the job. Once you get your optics settle on a load and don't mess with it (right BB?)
I consider Berger or Wildcats of some sort. You've taken enough elk to know what works. You'll learn more as you develop your drop chart.
Drop Chart: Shoot it. Shoot groups 'on paper' as far as you may shoot in the field. Don't rely on the software to predict beyond where you have entered actual drop data. (right BB?)
Optics: You are headed in the right direction here. Took two rifles this year and had the wrong scope on the wrong rifle. I had a Weaver Tactical 4.5-14 on the carry gun (which was perfect-BTW) and a 16X SuperSniper on the LR rig (which was a real bummer when the sun so much as even blinked.) The nighforce will serve you well but the mil dot may be a bit confusing as turrets are in MOA and the dots are in mils and are only actual Mils at specific powers. But the same problem exists with the MOA reticles as nf reticles are in the second focal plane which 'I' think is a bummer. But that's just me. The bottom line is that you'll see plenty well with that scope. Also, on low power those Mil Dots and connecting lines are gonna be big which may cover a bunch of target. The Weaver Tactical is an FFP reticle and is pretty sweet as he reticle shrinks with the power setting. But it would be worlds better if the ret. were MOA.
Rifle: When you shoot/confirm your drop chart at the longer distances you'll be able to see if the weight of your rifle is sufficient. It seems that the heavier the weight the more stable the rifle. But there is a lot of other considerations here depending on your hunting style. My requirements are 2: a)When setup to shoot and dry firing the cross hair stays centered on the point of aim when the trigger's tripped; b) I can spot my shot at all distances. Which brings up the bipod and rear support.
Bipod: Note: I'm talking purely prone shooting. A rock solid inflexible bipod is my preference. That way your setup is constant over the range of angles that you may shoot (+/- 25* isn't unusual). Many long ranges shots are made from the Harris type bipods but I wonder how many missed shots go unreported? My experience has been, and I have read studied and practiced from the article "Bug holes from bipods", that I had what I call "unexplainable misses". I feel that this was because I couldn't duplicate the "range" conditions in the "field" situations. It is very important that the shoulder pressure and cheek weld be consistent. When you're on a slope that is steep you're pushing when up slope and pulling when down slope. Also be careful when shooting up slope with a heavy rifle, the legs tend to fold up.
Rear support: Personal preference comes into play here. For shorter distances, under 400 yds I don't mind using my non-trigger hand to buffer between the rear bag and the stock. At LRH distances however, that doesn't work so well, for me. Here again, rock solid, when set, rear bag(s) in combinations to get the "natural -hmm I forget the term
but its when the rifle is on target with no intervention or muscle movement by the shooter.
I've had to pass on shots when I couldn't get sufficient steadiness. Those are burned into my mind and I learn more from them than the successful shots.
PS: Hey guys, if I'm blowing smoke here let me know. Its the first time I've said it and if I'm off kilter lemme know so I don't screw up again.
I don't have that many more hunts to go and I don't want to mess any of 'em up and flyingtxn deserves the best if info......
Good shootin'
